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Washington, DC– Today Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, joined with Congressmen Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7), Jim McDermott (D-WA-7) and Trent Franks (R-AZ-8) to introduce the bipartisan Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2015. The legislation would make the current adoption tax credit fully refundable. Black, Davis, McDermott, and Franks released the following statements:

“This May marks National Foster Care Month and is a sobering reminder of the more than 400,000 children in the foster care system waiting on a forever family. The best outcome for a child in foster care is an adoption into a safe, loving home, but we know this is a costly process. Almost half of all children adopted from foster care live in households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold. The tax code should work for these families that open their hearts and their homes to adoption – not against them. That is why our legislation would make the adoption tax credit more versatile and widen the playing field so that more families can benefit. I am grateful to Congressmen Davis, McDermott, and Franks for working with me on this critical, bipartisan measure,” said Congressman Diane Black.

“The Adoption Tax Credit reflects common-sense federal policy – it strengthens families, removes income as a barrier to adoption, and helps vulnerable children join permanent, loving families. Research shows that former foster youth represent the majority of children adopted by families earning less than 200 percent of the poverty level. This bill will make a critical difference in the ability of lower and middle-income families to adopt. I am proud to recognize National Foster Care Month by working across the aisle to improve the Adoption Tax Credit to better help children and families,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis.

“I have long felt that the tax code should work for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable among us,” said Congressman Jim McDermott. “The reality is that many of the children adopted in the U.S. join families that do not have sufficient income to take full advantage of the adoption tax credit. Making the adoption tax credit refundable will ensure that the tax code provides every family that adopts a child the resources they need and deserve. I thank my colleagues in the House for their work on this important issue, and I strongly urge swift passage of this bipartisan bill.”

“I am honored to be able to join with my colleagues today in introducing the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act. The Adoption Tax Credit is a simple but impactful way to prioritize the critical need of every child to enjoy the love, support, and protection of a permanent family. Every time the tax credit is claimed, we will be able to see that a child has found a forever family. In the long term, keeping children in families saves society money by breaking children out of a cycle we know for so many, often leads to homelessness, welfare, incarceration, or other tragic outcomes. When you measure that against the hope of a new life, stability, and a future of love and support for a child, it’s easy to make the case that the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act strengthens America's future on every level,” said Congressman Trent Franks.

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2015 has been endorsed by: American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Adopt America Network, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, Joint Council on International Children’s Services, National Council For Adoption, North American Council on Adoptable Children, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, ShowHope, Voice for Adoption, and more than 115 national, state, and local groups.